The automotive fuel pump is an essential part of the modern car. There are simple things that one can do or avoid doing in order to maintain it.
In most modern cars, an automotive fuel pump is an essential part of the vehicle. In particular, non-gravity feed engines cannot run without one. The pump can greatly affect the performance of any non-gravity feed internal combustion engine. This is why many car enthusiasts install electric auxiliary pumps. For the average car owner, however, the proper maintenance will do the trick.
A closer look at history of the pump is best before one finds out how it works and how to maintain it. Originally, engines relied on gravity to provide a positive pressure of fuel into the engine. However, the flow was inconsistent and sometimes unreliable. In the 1930′s, the mechanical fuel pump first came on the scene.
The fuel pump was developed to provide safety, efficiency and comfort to drivers. Today, however, it is considered the weak point of many engines, and many car enthusiasts opt to install an auxiliary electric pump in addition to the mechanical one. A faulty pump can cause the engine to stall, if it starts at all.
One of the basic things to remember in order to keep the fuel pump (as well as the car as a whole) in good shape is to never let the car run low or run out of fuel. Aside from being a propellant, fuel also acts as a lubricant for the pump. Letting the car run almost dry will also cause the pump to work without lubrication, which could cause damage to it.
Another major mistake for DIY mechanics is to ‘test’ the pump by forcing the lever up and down. Moving the lever by more than 3/8 of an inch can stretch the diaphragm and reduce its efficiency by up to 50%.
For active maintenance, make sure to polish the surfaces on the pump lever that rides on the cam, as wear on the cam lobe will also reduce its efficiency. Beyond this, the best way to maintain the automotive fuel pump is to bring the car to a mechanic regularly.
OnlyFuelPumps.com is an online provider of various types of performance and OEM fuel pumps. By providing only different types of one car part, as well as a relatively small number of accessories, the company is able to always have each automotive fuel pump in stock. For more information, visit OnlyFuelPumps.com or call 1-805-617-3938.
